Method and apparatus for drilling oil wells



April 18, 1967 E. BURNS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRILLING OIL WELLS I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 16, 1964 INVENTOR.

BURNS G F a s M a? I. 7A Fl QMWWAQAV Us E. BURNS April 18, 1967 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRILLING OIL WELLS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 16, 1964 Ili'amu INVENTOR ERWIN BURNS 14 7" TORNEV E. BURNS April 18, 1967 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRILLING OIL WELLS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 16, 1964 I NVENTOR.

, ERWIN BURNS fa United States Patent ()fiice 3,314,478 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRILLING OIL WELLS Erwin Burns, Los Angeles, Calif. (8346 Salt Lake Ave., Bell, Calif. 90201) Filed June 16, 1964, Ser. No. 375,566 Claims. (Cl. 16649) This invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for drilling oil wells. In the normal course of drilling oil wells, a bore is established in the earth to a point where it reaches the oil-producing formation, or production zone. This bore is established by means of a rotary bit, at the lower end of a drill pipe. The cuttings established by the bit are flushed and carried out of the bore by means of circulating fluid which is pumped downwardly through the drill pipe and the bit and flows upwardly in and through the annulus established by the bore and the drill pipe.

A suitable tubular casing is arranged and suitably fixed in the bore thus established, to support the walls of the bore. After the casing is in position, the bore is extended into the production zone by the same method, that is, by means of a rotary bit, on a drill pipe extending through the cased portion of the well and by means of circulating mud or fluid.

When the extended portion of the bore in the production zone is established, the drill pipe and bit are withdrawn or pulled from the well and an elongate tubular liner is lowered into the well, to depend from the lower end of the casing and into the production zone. This liner is provided with a liner hanger at its upper end, which liner hanger is releasably connected with a setting tool on the lower end of an elongate string of tubing employed to lower the liner and liner hanger into place and is such that when the setting tool is operated, as by rotating the string of tubing, the hanger engages the inside wall of the casing, at the lower end thereof, and suitably connects or couples the liner with the casing so that it is suspended therefrom. After the hanger is set in the manner set forth above, the setting tool is released from engagement with the hanger and the string of tubing and setting tool are pulled from the well. In practice, when the liner is positioned and the hanger is set, several additional collateral operations, such as gravel packing or cementing the liner in place and perforating the liner, when a blank liner is employed, are or can be performed, before the setting tool is released and the tubing string is pulled. In such operations, the tubing string and setting tool serve as a conduit through which the materials and/ or tools employed in such operations, are conducted.

After the well structure is established to the extent set forth above, a suitable packer or sealing means is inserted into the well on the end of a run-in string of tubing, which packer serves to establish a seal between the casing and the hanger.

After the packer is in position and the run-in string is pulled from the well, the well is in condition to receive the pumping apparatus, which normally includes an elongate string of production tubing extending from the top of the well into the production in the lower end of the well and suitable fluid pumping means at the lower end of and extending through the production tubing. Since the particular pumping means can be varied widely without etfecting the novelty of this invention and since such means are familiar to those skilled in the art, I will not burden this specification with further details of such a means.

It is to be noted that in the foregoing common method of drilling a 'well, the establishment of the extenison of the bore into the production zone and the subsequent 3,314,478 Patented Apr. 18, 1967 lowering and setting of the liner and liner hanger, are two distinct operations requiring two runs into the well With the necessary tools and equipment related thereto.

The above has been necessary due to the fact that the ordinary liner hanger is actuated or set by rotation of the string of tubing in or on which it is engaged. As a result, the liner and ordinary liner hanger have to be lowered into the well structure without being rotated and cannot be engaged in or related to the string of drill pipe and a drilling bit, which must be rotated.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved, rotating liner hanger which is such that the string of tubing in which or on which it is engaged, prior to being actuated or set, can be rotated as desired without actuating or setting the liner hanger.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel liner hanger construction of the character referred to, which is such that it can be selectively actuated and set and can be subsequently released from engagement with the string of tubing and setting tool with which it is related by predetermined relative axial shifting of the string and the hanger and subsequent rotation of the tubing string.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus for drilling a well, including a novel rotating liner hanger and setting tool engaged on the lower end of a string of drill pipe, an elongate liner fixed to and depending from the hanger and a bit on the lower end of the liner.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel method of finishing a well structure wherein a liner and liner hanger assembly is provided with a bit at its lower end and comprise portions or elements of a drilling string employed to establish a new bore hole in a well.

In many oil fields, particularly where the production zone is sandy, and has been substantially depleted, the formation is extremely soft, fragile and unstable. Such sandy formations are commonly referred to as flour sand. Where such formations are encountered, it is frequently impossible to drill into the production zone, employing normal drilling methods wherein drilling or circulating mud is used, without so breaking down the formation as a result of the fluid pressures exerted upon it and without so washing the formation away as to render the well unproductive.

In recent years, where flour sand is encountered in the production zone of a well, it has been found possible and advantageous to remove the cuttings from the extension of the bore entering the flour sand formation by means of air. In such an operation, moisture-saturated or heavy air is pumped downwardly through the drill string and bit at high pressure and high velocity. The air thus introduced into the well bore picks up and carries the cuttings left by the bit as it is rotated and advanced through the flour formation. The air and cuttings flow upwardly in the annulus between the drill string and casing and out of the well at the top thereof. This air drilling method of drilling has the marked advantage of not disturbing the flour sand formation, by erosion or by subjecting it to extreme fluid pressures that are encountered in drilling with fluids and which tend to collapse the formation.

In carrying out the method of air drilling referred to above, a special bit, usually in the nature of a fish tail bit is employed, as distinguished from the conventional roller bit. This change of bits requires or necessitates an additional pulling operation of the drill string and is time-consuming and costly. Further, it requires that the special drilling string be pulled from the well, leaving the bore in the production zone unsupported, before the liner and liner hanger assembly can be lowered into position and set in the well.

During this period, when the hate is unsupportedand prior to positioning the liner therein, the bore, where flour sand is encountered, frequently sloughs off and collapses, rendering it impossible to position the latter, or requiring a costly and complicated bailing operation to be performed in order to introduce and position the liner in the production zone. g

A serious disadvantage in drilling with air, as set forth above, resides in the fact that the cuttings or sand carried upwardly by the air, impinge upon all shoulders, projections and the like in the well structure and erodeor cut the structure away. This cutting or sand blasting effect materially limits or restricts the extent to which air drilling can be used and materially limits and re stricts the tools and the like that can be used in the well during the air drilling operation. i

The ordinary liner hanger construction being such that it is actuated or set by rotation of the run-in string, cannot be used in air drilling operations. Further, the ordin ary liner hanger construction presents many shoulders and the like which are such that if the hangers were used in air drilling operations, the hangers would be cut away and rendered useless by the sand blast elfect of the air driven cuttings impinging thereon and passing thereby.

Still further, in the ordinary liner hanger construction, there exists certain openings or passages through the working parts and between the hanger and its related setting tool, through which air and cuttings, in an air drilling ope-ration, would be free to enter and/or flow, with the result that such hangers and their setting tools would be cut out, from within, and/or packed with sand and cuttings to such an extent as to be rendered ineifective.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel, rotating liner hanger construction, liner and bit assembly of the character referred to which is such that a liner hanger and liner constitute a portion of a rotary drilling string and can be advantageously employed in air drilling operations.

Another object of my invention is to provide a liner hanger construction of the character referred to including sealing means to seal off openings or passages through the construction and through which air and cuttings, encountered during drilling operations, might otherwise flow. Still another object of this invention is to provide a liner hanger construction of the character referred to having novel wear-receiving or wear impeding means on those surfaces and the like which are subject to being directly impinged upon by cuttings and sand being moved through the well structure during air drilling operations.

It is another object of my invention to provide a novel air drilling method, for drilling a bore in the production zone of a well and for positioning a liner in the bore thus established.

The various objects and features of my invention will I be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and carrying out of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view showing a portion of the apparatusthat I provide arranged in a well structure;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of a portion of the structure shown in FIGURE 1, and showing that structure in a different position;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view similar to FIGURE 2 and showing another portion of my apparatus related thereto;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view similar to FIGURE 3 and showing said additional part of the apparatus in a ditferent position;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view, taken as indicated by line 55 on FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a view similarv to FIGURE 5 and showing the construction partially actuated;

FIGURE 7 is a detailed view showing the structure illustrated in FIGURE 6 in another operative position;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged detailed view taken substantially as indicated by line 88 on FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged detail view taken substantially as indicated by line 99 on FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 10 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 10-10 on FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 11 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 11-1'l on FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 12 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 12-'12 on FIGURE 6;

FIGURE '13 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line '1313 on FIGURE 9. p

The present invention has to do with a novel method and apparatus for drilling an oil well and is more par ticularly concerned with that portion of the drilling op: eration of a well which involves the establishment of a well bore in the production zone or formation of the well and the positioning and setting of a liner therein, preparatory to placing the well into productiori.

The apparatus A that I provide is adapted to be en-- gaged in a previously established portion of a well bore W, which terminates above the production Zone or format tion Z, and is provided with a suitable casing C, (See FIGURES 1-4 of the drawings), g 4

The apparatus A that I provide includes generally, an elongate string of fluid-condueting drill pipe P entering the top of the cased portion W of the well and termi dating in the lower end portion thereof, a fluid-conduct-- ing setting tool T fixed to the lower end of the drill pipe string, a liner hanger H releasably carried by the setting tool T, an elongate liner L fixed to and depending from the hanger H, and a bit B fixed to the lower end of the liner.

The apparatus further includes a suitable packing means M engageable with the hanger H and the casing C to seal and pack off therebetween, after the drilling and liner setting operations are completed.

The liner hanger H includes an elongate cylindrical body 10 with a central longitudinal bore 11. The lower end of the body is threaded to cooperatively engage and connect with the threaded upper end of the liner L, as clearly illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6 of the drawings. The upper end of the body is internally threaded, as indi cated at .12, to cooperatively receive and engage with a portion of the setting tool T, as will hereinafter be de scribed. The upper end of the body 10 defines an annu' lar shoulder 13 which shoulder is shown as being in-' clined radially outwardly and upwardly.

The exterior of the body is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced wedge or slip-receiving recesses 14 having upwardly and outwardlydnclined inner walls 15, lonlgitudinally-extending side walls 16 with laterally inwardly opening keyways 17, and flat, substantially upwardly-disposed bottom walls 18. The upper end of the inner walls v15 converge with the outer surface of the body, as clearly illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9 of the drawings. v

The exterior of the body is also provided with slip finger-receiving notches 19, which notches extend between the recesses 14 and the upper end of the body.

In the case illustrated, I have shown the body provided with three circumferentially spaced recesses 1-4. In addition to the foregoing, the body is provided with three circumferentially spaced, longitudinally-extending, outwardly-opening fiow channels 20 about its exterior, which channels allow for the free flow of material, such as circulating fluid and cuttings or air and cuttings, about or past the exterior of the hanger, when the hanger is lowered into the well and/or during drilling operations. The three channels 20 are arranged intermediate or between the three recesses 14.

Arranged within each recess 14 is a wedge or slip 21 having an outwardly and upwardly-inclined inner surface =22 opposing the inner wall of the recess, an axiallyextending wickered outer surface 23 to oppose the interior of the adjacent casing C, straight, horizontally-disposed top and bottom ends 24 and 25 and straight, axiallyextending side edges 26. The bottom end 25 opposes the bottom wall 18 of the recess 14 and the side edges oppose the side walls 16 of the recesses.

Suitable retaining keys 27 are provided along the side edges of the slips to engage in the keyways 17 in the recesses. The upper end of each slip is provided with an elongate, upwardly-projecting finger 28, which finger slidably enters the finger-receiving notch 10 in the body related to the recess in which the slip is arranged.

A suitable spring means 29 is provided at the lower end of each slip to normally yieldingly urge the slip upwardly in the recess 14. In the case illustrated, the means 29 includes guide pins fixed to and depending from the bottom end of each slip, pin-receiving openings entering the body at the bottoms of the recesses and compress-ion springs engaged about the pins and between the bottoms of the slips and the openings.

The slips 21 are normally acted upon by the setting tool T and occur in the lower ends of the recesses 14 where their outer wickered surfaces 23 are flush with or are in a plane spaced radially inwardly of the outer surface of the body (see FIGURES 1, 5 and 11 of the drawings).

When the slips are released by operating the setting tool T, as will hereinafter be described, they shift axially upwardly in the recesses 14 and radially outwardly relative to the body to engage the inner adjacent sur iiace of the casing C, as clearly illustrated in FIGURES 2 through 4, 6 through 9, 11 and 12 of the drawings. When the slips are shifted into engagement with the casing in the manner set forth above, they cooperate with and between the casing and the body to establish tight wedging engagement therebetween, upon downward shifting of the hanger relative to the casing and thereby stop and prevent such downward shifting of the hanger and downward shifting of the liner carried thereby. The structure related to the slips set forth above is not new and will hereinafter be referred to as the slip means.

The portion of the body 10 below the slip means is reduced in diametric extent, to be substantially equal in diameter with the liner L and so that the extent to which the body tends to restrict the flow of fluid upwardly beween the hanger and the casing C, is reduced to a minimum.

Note that the inner or bottom wall of the flow channels in the body are fiush with the outside diameter of the lower, reduced portion of the body.

The setting tool T includes an elongate, vertically extending tubular body 30 having a central longitudinal bore 31, which bore is threaded, as indicated at 32. The upper end of the body 30 is provided with a head 33 having a central, polygonal mandrel-receiving opening 33, con centric with the bore 31, and establishing a part of a clutch means I, as will hereinafter be described. The head 33 is shown as an annular ring-like machined part, engaged in a suitable counterbore in the upper end of the body 39 and fixed therein as by welding.

The diametric extent of the body is maintained at a minimum to provide for the freest possible flow of fluid and material by the construction. In the case illustrated, it is equal in diametric extent with the lower reduced portion of the hanger body 10.

An actuator ring 35 having a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially, downwardly-extending slip finger-engaging bars 36 isarranged adjacent the lower end of the body 3% and is rotatably coupled to the body by means of an elongate carrier sleeve 37 slid ably engaged through the ring 35, with its upper end threadedly engaged in the lower end of the bore 31 in the body and provided with a retaining flange 38 at its lower end. The ring is retained on the sleeve 37 between the flange 38 6 and the lower end of the body 30, as clearly illustrated in FIGURE 5 of the dnawings.

The ring 35 is equal in diametr-ic extent with the body 10 of the hanger and is provided with circumferentiallyspaced, radially outwardly-opening and axially-extending flow channels 39, which channels register or are in axial alignment with the flow channels in the hanger body, when the construction is fully assembled, as clearly illus trated in the drawings.

The setting tool further includes an elongate, verticallydisposed coupler D having an upper portion 40, a central portion 41, a lower portion 42 and a central longitudinal bore 43.

The upper portion 40 is externally threaded as at 44 and is threadedly engaged in the threads 32 in the body 30.

The upper end of the upper portion of the coupler D opposes the head 33 of the body and establishes a portion of the clutch means J, which will hereinafter be described.

The central portion 41 is in the nature of a radially outwardly-projecting flange or enlargement in the central portion of the coupler D and defines an upwardly-disposed stop shoulder 4'5, which opposes the bottom of the actuator ring 35- and the carrier sleeve 37, and a downwardly-disposed shoulder 46, which shoulder opposes the shoulder 13 on the upper end of the hanger body 10. In the case illustrated, the shoulder 46 is inclined to complement the inclined shoulder 13.

The central portion 41 is equal in diametric extent with the ring 35 and the upper portion of the body 10 of the hanger H and is provided with circumferentially-spaced, axially-extending and radially outwardly-opening bar-receiving notches 47 to accommodate the bars 36 on the ring 35, and similarly disposed, circumferentially-spaced, flow channels 47, to register with the flow channels 20 and 39 in the hanger body and the setting tool ring, when the construction is fully assembled, as illustnated in FIG- URES 1 and 5 of the drawings.

The lower portion 42 of the setting tool coupler is a simple, elongate tubular part or portion, externally threaded, as at 50 and provided with acentral polygonal mandrel-receiving opening 51 at its lower end, communicating with the bore in the coupler.

The lower portion 42 is threadedly engaged into the upper portion of the hanger body.

When the lower portion 42 of the coupler, is fully engaged in the hanger body, the shoulder 46 on the central portion 41 occurs adjacent the shoulder 13 at the upper end of the hanger body.

When the setting tool body is fully engaged on the threaded upper portion 40 of the coupler D, the lower end of the actuator ring seats on the top shoulder 45 of the central portion 41 of the coupler.

The bars on the actuator ring are of suflicient longitudinal extent so that when the structure is assembled, as set forth above, and as illustrated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings, the bars extend through the notches in the coupler, into the finger-receiving notches in the hanger body, to engage the fingers on the slips and hold the slips down, in their normal or unactuated position in the recesses 14. The setting tool T further includes an elongate fluid-conducting mandrel 55, polygonal in cross-section and extending longitudinally through the set-ting tool body 30 and coupler D, to establish axial shifting and rotary driving engagement in the openings 33 and 51, in the setting tool.

The upper end of the mandrel 55 is externally threaded at '56 (see FIGURE 5) and is threadedly engaged in a coupling 57, which coupling is threaded onto the lower end of the drill pipe P.

The lower end of the coupling 57 establishes a downwardly-disposed stop shoulder which opposes the upper end of the setting tool body 30 and the head 33 therein.

The lower end of the mandrel is externally threaded as at 58 (see FIGURE 7) and. is threadedly engaged in a coupling 59, which coupling establishes an upwardly-disnot be rotated relative to each other and in such a manner as would allow for axial shifting of the said body relative to the coupler and the hanger or for axial shifting of the coupler relative to the hanger. Note: the coupler D is locked against rotation relative to the hanger H by the bars 36 carried by the ring '35 on the body 30 and extending through the notches 47 in the central portion 41 of the coupler and into the notches 19 in the hanger body The clutch means I includes a tubular extension 61 on the head 33, depending into the bore 31 of the hanger body and a tubular extension 62 on the upper end of the coupler. The opposing ends of the extensions 61 and 62- :are inclined or stepped to establish opposing, circumferentially-spaced stop faces or jaws 63 and 64. In practice, the ends of the extensions are pitched or inclined at the same angle as the threads 32 and 44 in the body 30 and on the coupler D and so that the clutch D is made and broken upon one revolution of the body relative to the coupler, in a clockwise direction.

The clutch J serves to stop rotation of the body, relative to the coupler, when the construction is made up, so that the polygonal openings 33' and 51 in the body and coupler are aligned and so that when the setting tool is fully engaged and stopped in the hanger body and torsional forces are exerted through the assembly, the body 30 and coupler D are driven together, uniformly, and the bars 36 extending through the notches 47 in the coupler and into the notches 19 in the hanger, are not biased in such a manner as might result in binding and locking up or freezing of the construction.

The mandrel 55 is of considerably greater longitudinal extent than the assembled body 30 and coupler and is shiftable axially therethrough. The mandrel 55 is further provided with a reduced portion 65, intermediate its ends. The reduced portion 65 is round in cross-section, is of limited longitudinal extent and is adapted to be shifted into engagement in the polygonal opening 51 in the coupler D, upon axial shifting of the mandrel relative to the construction and so as to break driving engagement between the mandrel and the coupler. (See FIGURE 6 of the drawings.) When the mandrel 55 is in the position shown in FIGURE 6 of the drawings, and is rotated, the body 30 of the setting tool, which remains in driving engagement with the mandrel, is rotated relative to the coupler D and is elevated relative thereto so that the bars 36 on the ring 35 ro-tatably carried by the body 30 are drawn from engagement with the fingers 28 of the slips 21, allowing said slips to shift upwardly and outwardly into engagement with the well casing C, and are shifted from engagement in the finger-receiving notches 19 in the hanger body 10.

With the bars 36 disengaged from the hanger body, the coupler D is no longer locked in the body against rotation.

Upon subsequent shifting of the mandrel relative to the coupler D, and so that driving engagement therebetween is reestablished and upon subsequent rotation of the mandrel and the coupler, the setting tool is advanced out of engagement with the hanger, as clearly illustrated in FIGURE 7 of the drawings.

When running the assembled liner, liner hanger and setting tool into the well, the coupling 59 at the lower end of the mandrel 55 engages and stops against the lower end of the setting tool coupler D, thereby suspending the liner and hanger therefrom.

When the liner is of considerable length and of suflicient weight so that its entire weight is not to be applied on and through the bit B at the lower end of the liner, during drilling operations, the coupling continues to serve to support and carry the remainder of the setting tool construction, the liner hanger and the liner on the lower end of the mandrel.

When the liner is short and light, and a portion of the weight of the drill pipe P is to be applied onto and through the liner and bit, the liner is first bottomed on the well bore and the drill pipe, with the mandrel fixed thereon, is lowered until the coupling 57 at the upper end of the mandrel engages and seats on the top of the setting tool body and until the desired load is exerted through the construction to the bit B.

To prevent drilling fluid or drilling air from flowing through the setting tool during a drilling operation and in such a manner as will do damage to the tool, I provide the upper end of the coupler 59 (see FIG. 7) and the lower end of the coupler 57 (see FIG. 5) with suitable sealing means S to seal between the couplers and the ends of the body 30 and the couplers, about the openings 33 and 51.

The sealing means 5 that I provide are alike and each includes an annular body 70 of malleable metal, such as lead, engaged about the mandrel and against the end of the coupling with which it is related. Suitable retaining sleeves 71 are provided about the lead bodies or rings, which sleeves are fixed to the couplings by welding or the like.

The lead rings or :bodies, in addition to establishing seals, when engaged by other parts of the construction, also serve as wear-receiving or impeding means, by establishing matrices at or on the shoulders established by the couplings and upon which fluid and material flowing through the Well construction impinge. The material flowing through the construction and which impinges upon the lead bodies or matrices 70 imbeds itself in the surfaces of the matrices and collects to establish a mass or crust of the material being moved thereon and upon which the remainder of the material being handled impinges and wears. As the material int-bedded in the matrices wears or is otherwise displaced, additional material takes its place with the result that the couplings will not become cut or eroded by the fluid and/or material being moved thereby.

The coupling 59 at the lower end of the mandrel is provided with a lead matrix 73 at its lower end and about the stinger 60, which matrix serves to prevent the cutting and eroding away of the coupling 59 by the matter which impinges upon it. The matrix 73 is retained by a keeper sleeve 74, like the sleeve 71 related to the matrices 70.

In addition to the foregoing, my new apparatus includes a novel packing means M, which means is engaged in the well structure, after the hanger is set and the setting tool and drill pipe are removed. The packer M serves to seal and pack off between the hanger H and the casing C.

The packing means M involves a.novel packing tool including an elongate, vertically-extending tubular body having an internally-threaded bore 81 entering its upper end and into which the lower end of a fluid-conducting run-in string of tubing R is threadedly engaged. The lower end portion of the body defines a downwardlydisposed annular stop shoulder 82 and is provided with a downwardly-opening counterbore 83 communicating with the bore 81 and terminating in the body to define a flat, downwardly-disposed bottom 84. The upper portion of the counterbore 83 is undercut, as at 85, which undercut establishes an upwardly-disposed stop shoulder 86 in the counterbore; spaced from and opposing the bottom 84.

The packer further includes an elongate verticallydisposed tubular carrier 87, the upper end portion of which is slidably engaged in the counterbore 83 in the body 80. The upper end of the carrier is provided with a radially outwardly-projecting stop flange 88, which flange slidably engages in the undercut portion 85 of the counterbore and is adapted to normally engage and seat on the upwardly-disposed stop shoulder 86. The stop flange 88 is adapted to engage on or against the bottom 84 of the counterbore when the construction is actuated, as will hereinafter be described.

The upper end portion of the carrier which occurs in the counterbore is provided with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, elongate, vertically-disposed slots 89 into which suitable retaining and drive pins 90, carr'ed by the body, project. The pins 90 engaged in the slots 89 serve to prevent relative rotation of the body and carrier and limit relative axial shifting therebetween.

The lower portion of the carrier is imperforate, depends from the lower end of the body 80 and is provided with a radially outwardly-projecting flange-like enlargement or part 91, spaced between the stop shoulder 82 at the bottom end of the body and the lower end of the carrier. The enlargement 91 defines a substantially upwardlydisposed stop shoulder 92 spaced from the stop shoulder 82 and a downwardly-disposed stop shoulder 93.

An annular sleeve or body 94 of malleable and ductile lead is engaged about the lower portion of the carrier, between the stop shoulders 82 and 92, which body of lead is adapted to be subjected to compressive force between the shoulders and to be distended into tight sealing engagement with the casing C surrounding the packer when the construction is actuated and set in the well.

An annular body or ring 95 of malleable and ductile lead is engaged about the carrier, below the enlargement 91 and adjacent the shoulder 93 thereon. The sealing ring 95 is adapted to engage the shoulder 13 on the upper end of the hanger body 10, when the packer is oriented and set in the well structure, to seal therewith and to distend into sealing engagement with the casing, when subjected to compressive forces. (See FIGURE 9 of the drawings.)

In addition to the foregoing, the packer includes a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced hold-down slips 100 shiftably engaged in cooperating, radially outwardlyopening recesses 101 in the body 80. The recesses 101 have downwardly-radially-outwardly-inclined bottom walls 102, which walls slidably engage similarly disposed inner surfaces 103 on the slips 100.

The outer surfaces of the slips extend axially of the construction and are suitably wickered, so as to establish gripping engagement with the casing C, when the packer is set.

Spring means 105 are provided at and between the upper ends of the recesses and slips, which means normally yieldingly urge the slips downwardly and upwardly in the recesses, relative to the body and into engagement with the casing C.

In addition to the foregoing, a suitable releasing means M is provided for each slip 100 to releasably hold the slip in its up or unactuated position, where it is wholly within the circumferential limits of the body and clear of the casing. The means M is shown as including a shear pin 106 carried by the carrier, projecting radially outwardly through suitable openings in the body 80 and into openings in the inner surfaces of the slips.

The pins 106 normally hold the slips up in their unactuated positions in the recesses. Upon relative axial shifting between the body and the carrier, the pins 106 are sheared, releasing the slips and permitting them to shift upwardly to their actuated or set position.

It will be apparent that the slips 100 are so disposed that they serve to hold the body 80 down and against upwa-rd shifting and displacement in the casing C, when set.

In operation, the packer and run-in string are assembled as illustrated in FIGURE 8 of the drawings, and are lowered in the well to a point where the lower end of the carrier slidably enters the bore of the body 10. It will be noted that the lower end of the carrier, below the lead ring 95 serves as a pilot and that the inclined shoulder 13 on the hanger serves to guide the pilot end of the carrier into the bore of the hanger body.

When the packer is thus related to the hanger, the weight of the run-in string R is exerted onto and through the packer. The force exerted by the weight of the string R, first shears the pins 106, permitting the slips 100 to shift upwardly and outwardly and engage the casing. The body is subsequently urged downwardly relative to the carrier by the weight of the string, distending the lead sleeve 94 into sealing engagement with the casing and the enlargement is urged towards the upper end of the hanger, compacting the sealing ring 95 between the shoulders 93 and 13 and distending said ring into engagement with the casing, as clearly illustrated in FIGURE 9 of the drawings.

The packer construction is held and maintained in the relationship shown in FIGURE 9 by the gripping and wedging action of the slips 100.

When the packer is thus set, the run-in string is rotated out of threaded engagement with the body 80 and pulled from the well, leaving the Well in condition to receive the necessary pumping apparatus and to be put into production.

The liner L is a simple, straight, elongate tubular member having its upper end threadedly engaged in the lower end of the hanger body and is open at its lower end.

In the preferred carrying out of the invention, the liner is imperforate when introduced into the well and is perforated by a suitable perforating means or apparatus, after it is oriented and fixed in the well structure, as will hereinafter be described.

The bit B at the lower end of the liner is shown as a simple fish-tail bit. In practice, the bit B can be of any suitable or desired style or type.

When drilling and completing a well with the apparatus set forth above, the bit, liner, liner hanger and drill pipe assembly is lowered into the cased portion of the Well, as illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. Circulation of drilling fluid or air is established downwardly through the assembly and upwardly through the annulus between the said assembly and the adjacent walls of the well structure. The assembly is then rotated and lowered into the well structure so that the bit B establishes new hold, or a continuation or extension of the well bore into the production zone. The cuttings established by the bit are carried out of the well by the fluid or air, whichever medium is used. Note that the liner and liner hanger constitute a portion of the drilling string.

The above drilling operation is continued until the liner is advanced to a desired extent in the production zone.

During the above drilling operation, the liner hanger and the body and coupler of the setting tool are supported on and depend from the lower coupling on the mandrel; in the case where the entire weight of the liner is not exerted onto and through the bit, or, the upper coupling on the mandrel is engaged on and bears against the top of the setting tool body, when the entire weight of the liner and a portion of the 'weight of the drill pipe string is exerted onto and through the bit. In either case, the reduced portion of the mandrel is out of engagement in the mandrel-receiving opening in the setting tool coupler and driving engagement between the mandrel and said coupler is maintained.

After drilling is stopped and the liner is oriented, the mandrel is shifted axially relative to the setting tool, so that the reduced portion thereof occurs in the mandrelreceiving opening in the setting tool coupler. When the mandrel is thus arranged, the drill pipe and the mandrel are again rotated so as to shift the setting tool body upwardly relative to the setting tool coupler and so that the bars 316 of the setting tool are shifted upwardly and out of engagement with the slip fingers and the hanger 11 body, thereby setting the hanger slips in engagement with the adjacent wall of the well casing C (see FIGURE 6 of the drawings).

In practice, it is common to introduce a slurry of cement into a well bore to cement the liner in place or to introduce and pack gravel into the bore about the liner.

Still further, it is common practice to arrange a liner in a well so that its lower end is spaced a predetermined distance above the bottom of the well here.

In such cases, the liner is elevated so that its lower end is spaced above the bottom of the bore and the cement or gravel is introduced into the bore, through the construction, by means of a suitable cementing or gravel-packing apparatus, before the liner hanger is set, or after the liner hanger has been set and before the setting tool is disengaged from the hanger, as circumstances require, or as desired.

After the hanger and liner are set and the desired cementing or gravel packing operation is completed, the mandrel is again shifted axially so as to reestablish driving engagement with the setting tool coupler, whereupon further rotation of the drill pipe and mandrel advance the setting tool out of engagement with the hanger and the said drill pipe and setting tool are withdrawn from the well, as illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

With the liner hanger and liner thUSl set in the well, the packer is then lowered into the well on the end of a run-in string and is set to seal between the casing and the hanger, as set forth above. (See FIGURES 3, 4, 8 and 9 of the drawings.)

After the packer is lowered into engagement with the hanger and either before or after it is set, a suitable liner perforating apparatus (not shown), is lowered through the run-in string and the packer and into the liner, where it is actuated or operated to perforate the liner, as indicated at X in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings.

After the liner is perforated and the packer is set, the run-in string is rotated out of engagement with the packer and is pulled from the well, leaving the well completed and prepared [for production, as illustrated in FIGURE 4 of the drawings.

In practice, the threads 44 and 50, and the threads of the construction related thereto, can be left-hand or righthand threads. Accordingly, the construction that I provide can vbe such that the hanger can be actuated and set by either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the drill pipe, as circumstances require, and the setting tool can be advanced out of engagement with the hanger by either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the drill pipe, as circumstances require.

In practice, and to avoid the possibility of accidental breaking of the tool joints throughout the drill pipe string, which joints are normally made up by clockwise rotation and broken by counterclockwise rotation, it is preferred that the threads 44 and 50, be such that the desired operation of the construction is accomplished by clockwise rotation of the drill string and mandrel.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications and variations that may ap pear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. The method of arranging and setting a liner in an oilproducing formation below a cased Well bore including, arranging a bit on the lower end of a liner, securing the liner to a rotating liner hanger construction, fixing a setting tool to the lower end of a drill pipe, releasably securing said liner hanger construction, to the setting tool, introducing the assembled drill pipe, setting tool liner hanger construction, liner and bit into the cased well bore so that the bit engages the bottom of the bore and the formation, then rotating and advancing the assembly into the formation whereby the bit establishes new hole and circulating fluid downwardly through the assembly and upwardly through the well structure about said assembly to remove formation cuttings established by the bit, then actuating the liner hanger to engage the casing whereby the liner is suspended from the casing, then releasing the liner hanger from the setting tool and then withdrawing said drill pipe and setting tool from the well.

2. The method of arranging and setting a liner in an oil-producing formation below a cased well bore including, arranging a bit on the lower end of a liner, securing the liner to a rotating liner hanger construction, fixing a setting tool to the lower end of a drill pipe, releasably securing said liner hanger construction to the setting tool, introducing the assembled drill pipe, setting tool liner hanger construction, liner and bit into the cased well bore so that the bit engages the bottom of the bore and the formation, then rotating and advancing the assembly into the formation whereby the bit establishes new hole and circulating air downwardly through the assembly and upwardly through the well structure about said assembly to remove formation cuttings established by the bit, then actuating the liner hanger to engage the casing whereby the liner is suspended from the casing, then releasing the liner hanger from the setting tool and then withdrawing said drill pipe and setting tool from the well.

3. The method of arranging and setting a liner in an oil production formation below a cased well bore including, arranging a bit on the lower end of a liner, securing the liner to a liner hanger having casing engaging slips shiftable from an unactuated position where the slips are clear of the casing to an actuated position where the slips engage the casing, rele-asably securing a setting tool fixed to the lower end of a drill pipe with the hanger which tool normally engages and holds the slips in their unactuated position and which is operable upon predetermined axial shifting of the drill pipe relative to the hanger and upon relative rotation of the drill pipe to the hanger to first actuate the hanger slips and second to release the setting tool from engagement with the hanger, then introducing the assembled drill pipe, setting tool, liner hanger, liner and bit into the cased well bore so that the bit engages the bottom of the bore and the formation, then rotating and advancing the assembly into the formation and circulating fluid downwardly through the assembly and upwardly through the well about said assembly to remove formation cuttings established by the bit, then actuating the liner hanger to engage the casing whereby the liner is suspended from the casing, then releasing the liner hanger from the setting tool and then withdrawing said drill pipe and setting tool from the well.

4. The method of arranging and setting a liner in an oil production formation below a cased well bore including, arranging a bit on'the lower end of a liner, securing the liner to a liner hanger having casing engaging slips shiftabie from an unactuated position where the slips are clear of the casing to an actuated position where the slips engage the casing, releasably securing a setting tool fixed to the lower end of a drill pipe with the hanger, which tool normally engages and holds the slips in their unactuated position and which is operable upon predetermined axial shifting of the drill pipe relative to the hanger and upon relative rotation of the drill pipe to the hanger to first actuate the hanger slips and second to release the setting tool from engagement with the hanger, then introducing the assembled drill pipe, setting tool, liner hanger, liner and bit into the cased well bore so that the bit engages the bottom of the bore and the formation, then rotating and advancing the assembly into the formation and cirulating fluid downwardly through the assembly and upwardly through the well about said assembly to remove formation cuttings established by the bit, then rotating and shifting the drill pipe axially relative to the hanger to actuate the liner hanger slips into engagement with the casing whereby the liner is suspended from the cas- 13 ing, then shifting the drill pipe axially relative to the hanger and rotating said drill pipe to release the setting tool from engagement with the liner hanger and then withdrawing said drill pipe and setting tool from the well.

5. The method of arranging and setting a liner in an oil production formation below a cased well bore including, arranging a bit on the lower end of a liner, securing the liner to a liner hanger having casing engaging slips shiftable from an unactuated position where the slips are clear of the casing to an actuated position where the slips engage the casing, releasably securing a setting tool fixed to the lower end of a drill pipe with the hanger, which tool normally engages and holds the slips in their unactuated position and which is operable upon predetermined axial shifting of the drill pipe relative to the hanger and upon relative rotation of the drill pipe to the hanger to first actuate the hanger slips and second to release the setting tool from engagement with the hanger, then introdusing the assembled drill pipe, setting tool, liner hanger, .liner and bit into the cased well bore so that the bit engages the bottom of the bore and the formation, then rotating and advancing the assembly into the formation and circulating air doumwardly through the assembly and upwardly through the well about said assembly to remove formation cuttings established by the bit, then rotating and shifting the drill pipe axially relative to the hanger to actutae the liner hanger slips into engagement wtih the casing whereby the liner is suspended from the casing, then shifting the drill pipe axially relative to the hanger and rotating said drill pipe to release the setting tool from engagement with the liner hanger and then withdrawing said drill pipe and setting tool from the well.

6. The method of arranging and setting a liner in an oil-producing formation below a cased well bore including, arranging a bit on the lower end of a liner, securing the liner to a rotating liner hanger construction, releasably securing said liner hanger construction to the lower end of a drill pipe, introducing the assembled drill pipe liner hanger construction, liner and bit into the cased well bore so that the bit engages the bottom of the bore and the formation, then rotating and advancing the assembly into the formation and circulating fiuid downwardly through the assembly and upwardly through the well structure about said assembly to remove formation cuttings established by the bit, then actuating the liner hanger to engage the casing whereby the liner is suspended from the casing, then releasing the liner hanger from the setting tool, then withdrawing said drill pipe from the well, next lowering a packing tool into the well structure and actuating said packing tool to seal between the hanger and the casing.

7. The method of arranging and setting a liner in an oil-producing formation below a cased well bore including, arranging a bit on the lower end of a liner, securing the liner to a rotating liner hanger construction, releasably securing said liner hanger construction to the lower end of a drill pipe by means of a setting tool fixed to the lower end of the drill pipe, introducing the assembled drill pipe liner hanger construction, liner and bit into the cased well here so that the bit engages the bottom of the bore and the formation, then rotating and advancing the assembly into the formation and circulating fluid downwardly through the assembly and upwardly through the well structure about said assembly to remove formation cuttings established by the bit, then actuating the liner hanger to engage the casing whereby the liner is suspended from the casing, then releasing the liner hanger from the setting tool and then withdrawing said drill pipe and setting from the well, next releasably engaging a packing tool on the lower end of a run-in string of tubing, then lowering said packing tool into the well to engage the hanger therein, then actuating said packing tool to seal between the hanger and the casing and finally releasing said run-in string from the packing tool and pulling said string from the well.

S. The method of arranging and setting a liner in an oil production formation below a cased well bore including, arranging a bit on the lower end of a liner, securing the liner to a liner hanger having casing engaging slips shiftable from an unactuated position where the slips are clear of the casing to an actuated position where the slips engage the casing, releasably securing a setting tool fixed to the lower end of a drill pipe with the hanger, which tool normally engages and holds the slips in their unactuated position and which is operable upon predetermined axial shifting of the drill pipe relative to the hanger and upon relative rotation of the drill pipe to the hanger to first actuate the hanger slips and second to release the setting tool from engagement with the hanger, then introducing the assembled drill pipe, setting tool, liner hanger, liner and bit into the cased well bore so that the bit engages the bottom of the bore and the formation, then rotating and advancing the assembly into the formation and circulating fluid downwardly through the assembly and upwardly through the well about said assembly to remove formation cuttings established by the bit, then rotating and shifting the drill pipe axially relative to the hanger to actuate the liner hanger slips into engagement with the casing whereby the liner is suspended from the casing, then shifting the drill pipe axially relative to the hanger and rotating said drill pipe to release the setting tool from engagement with the liner hanger, then withdrawing said drill pipe and setting tool from the well, next releasably engaging a packing tool on the lower end of a run-in string of tubing, then lowering said packing tool into the well structure to engage the hanger therein, then actuating said packing tool to seal between the hanger and the casing, then releasing the run-in string from the packing tool and finally pulling said run-in string from the well.

9. The method for completing a well having a cased well bore extending to a production zone including, securing a bit to the lower end of an elongate tubular liner, securing a liner hanger having a tubular internally threaded body and a plurality of circumferentially spaced outwardly and upwardly shiftable casing-engaging slips carried by the body, to the upper end of the liner, then releasably engaging a setting tool with the hanger, said setting tool having a first part threaded into the hanger body, a second part threaded on said first part for relative rotation and axial shifting relative thereto and carry ing means for releasably engaging and holding the slips carried by the body down and clear of the casing, and an elongate polygonal tubular mandrel having a reduced portion intermediate its ends slidably engaged in and through the first and second parts to normally establish driving engagement therewith and having enlargements at its ends to engage the opposing ends of the related parts, then securing the setting tool to the lower end of a drill pipe and lowering the assembly into the cased well bore, then rotating the drill pipe and assembly and advancing the bit and liner into the production zone below the cased bore and circulating fluid downwardly through the drill pipe and the assembly and upwardly through the bore to remove the formation cuttings left by the bit, then shifting the drill pipe and mandrel axially so the reduced portion of the mandrel occurs in thefirst part of the setting tool and interrupts driving engagement therewith, then rotating the drill pipe, mandrel and second part of the setting tool to shift the said second part of the setting tool from engagement with the hanger and allowing the slips to shift upwardly and outwardly into engagement with the casing, then shifting the drill pipe and mandrel axially relative to the setting tool to reestablish driving engagement between the mandrel and the first part of the tool, then rotating the drill pipe, mandrel and said first part of the setting tool from engagement in the hanger and then pulling said drill pipe and setting tool from the well.

10. The method for completing a well having a cased well bore extending to a production zone including, securing a bit to the lower end of an elongate tubular liner, securing a liner hanger having a tubular internally threaded body and a plurality of circumferentially spaced outwardly and upwardly shiftable casing-engaging slips carried by the body, to the upper end of the liner, then releasably engaging a setting tool with the hanger, said setting tool having a first part threaded into the hanger body, a second part threaded on said first part for relative rotation and axial shifting relative thereto and carrying means for releasably engaging and holding the slips carried by the body down and clear of the casing, and an elongate polygonal tubular mandrel having a reduced portion intermediate its ends slidahly engaged in and through the first and second parts to normally establish driving engagement therewith and having enlargements at its ends to engage the opposing ends of the related parts, then securing the setting tool to the lower end of a drill pipe and lowering the assembly into the cased well bore, then rotating the drill pipe and assembly and advancing the bit and liner into the production zone below the cased bore and circulating fluid downwardly through the drill pipe and the assembly and upwardly through the bore to remove the formation cuttings left by the bit, then shifting the drill pipe and mandrel axially so the reduced portion of the mandrel occurs in the first part of the setting tool and interrupts driving engagement therewith, then rotating the drill pipe, mandrel and second part of the setting tool to shift the said second part of the setting tool from engagement with the hanger and allowing the slips to shift upwardly and outwardly into engagement with the casing, then shifting the drill pipe and mandrel axially relative to the setting tool to reestablish driving engagement between the mandrel and the first part of the tool, then rotating the drill pipe, mandrel and said first part of the setting tool from engagement in the hanger and then pulling said drill pipe and setting tool from the well, next threadably securing a packing tool to the lower end of a run-in string of tubing and lowering said string and tool into the well structure to engage the hanger, said packing tool having a lower tubular section with a radially outwardly-projecting flange a first annular body of lead about the section below the flange to engage and seal on the top of the hanger and a second annular body of lead about the lower section above the flange and adapted to be distended into sealing engagement with the casing, an upper tubular section telescopically engaged about the lower section and engaging the top of the second body of lead and connected with the run-in string, a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, radially outwardly and downwardly shiftable hold-down casing-engaging slips carried by the upper section and shear pins engaged through the sections and into the slips to normally hold the upper section upon the lower section and the slips on the upper section and clear of the casing, then applying the weight of the run-in string onto the packing tool to urge the first body of lead into sealing engagement with the hanger, to shear said shear pins and releasing said hold-down slips to engage the casing and then shifting said upper section downwardly relative to the lower section and said second body of lead to distend said body of lead into sealing engagement with the casing, then rotating the run-in string out of engagement with the setting tool and finally pulling said run-in string from the well.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,117,836 4/1938 Brown l66-l58 2,342,930 2/1944 Fortune 166158 3,117,628 1/1964 Myers 166-208 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner. JAMES A. LEPPINK, Examiner. 

1. THE METHOD OF ARRANGING AND SETTING A LINER IN AN OILPRODUCING FORMATION BELOW A CASED WELL BORE INCLUDING, ARRANGING A BIT ON THE LOWER END OF A LINER, SECURING THE LINER TO A ROTATING LINER HANGER CONSTRUCTION, FIXING A SETTING TOOL TO THE LOWER END OF A DRILL PIPE, RELEASABLY SECURING SAID LINER HANGER CONSTRUCTION, TO THE SETTING TOOL, INTRODUCING THE ASSEMBLED DRILL PIPE, SETTING TOOL LINER HANGER CONSTRUCTION, LINER AND BIT INTO THE CASED WELL BORE SO THAT THE BIT ENGAGES THE BOTTOM OF THE BORE AND THE FORMATION, THEN ROTATING AND ADVANCING THE ASSEMBLY INTO 